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Prescription Drugs Now Free for Everyone 24 and Under

50,000 Children and Youth in the Northumberland County and Quinte Region Now Covered for Over 4,400 Medications Through OHIP+

More than 4,400 prescription medications are now free for everyone 24 and under in Ontario, helping families and young people afford the medications they need to stay healthy.

Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West, announced today, as of January 1, 2018, over 50,000 children and youth, 24 and under, in the Northumberland County and Quinte Region are able to get their prescription medications for free by simply showing their Ontario health card number and a prescription.

With OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare, coverage will be automatic with no upfront costs. The new program will improve access to more than 4,400 medications and other drug products for over four million children and youth across the province.

Ontario's drug funding program is already one of the country's most generous, helping to pay for needed prescription medications for seniors, people with high drug costs and other vulnerable populations.

Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

QUOTES

“We are taking a historic step forward with OHIP+ by eliminating the financial barriers and ensuring all young people can access the medication they need at no cost. OHIP+ is a major step towards our vision of a national pharmacare program that will help young people live healthier lives.”

— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“This is one of my proudest days as your M.P.P. This is not only historic in terms of its reach and scope for all young Ontarians, its impact will be truly transformative. This is without question one of the most progressive moves any Provincial government has undertaken since OHIP itself was created and I am very proud to be a part of a government who has made drug coverage for all those under 25 a reality.” — Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P., Northumberland-Quinte West

QUICK FACTS

Ontario will be the first province to provide prescription medication coverage at no cost for children and youth, 24 and under, helping more people afford the medications they need to stay healthy.

The province is investing $465 million to expand coverage through OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare.

Prescription medications will be covered if they are listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary or approved for funding through the Exceptional Access Program.